SA v BAN: South African Test Players Prioritize IPL 2022 Over International Duty

IPL 2022: Team South Africa is likely to field a 'B' side squad against Bangladesh for the upcoming three-match Test series starting March 18th, as the regular African test players have decided to participate in the IPL 2022 instead. 

As far as reports suggest, the decision was unanimous from the team members. While earlier this month, Cricket South Africa (CSA) allowed the South African players to chose between IPL and the test series against Bangladesh, which was called 'litmus test of loyalty' by South African skipper Dean Elgar. 

CSA has an agreement with BCCI according to which CSA has given its players NOCs to participate in the IPL and do not organize international fixtures at the time. This time though, with the inclusion of 2 new teams, an extended IPL and a series against Bangladesh has been scheduled at the same time. 

"The original agreement with the BCCI was that we would release our players for the IPL. But the IPL window has gotten bigger, and our agreement remains the same," said an inside source. 

This would directly mean that South Africa will be without their first-choice pace attack - Kagiso Rabada will represent Punjab Kings, Lungi Ngidi has his commitments with Delhi Capitals while the young left-arm pacer Marco Jansen is set to represent Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL 2022. 

While Anrich Nortje is most probably out of the Bangladesh series and his availability in the IPL 2022 is still isn't confirmed. Nortje has been suffering from longstanding back and hip issues since July last year and will be examined by Delhi Capitals' medical staff. 

Also Read: IPL 2022 - Schedule & Squad

If the sources are to believe, all the test team members who have a contract in IPL 2022 had a meeting with head coach Mark Boucher as CSA made an effort to convince the players to participate in the Bangladesh test series instead of going to India for the IPL 2022. There are some signs that some of the African players playing in IPL including Kagiso Rabada may be forced to stay for the first test. Although it is more than likely that the players will continue with IPL 2022.